Corundum, var. sapphire

Here is an excellent specimen from an old-time location. Decades ago, light blue corundum was discovered beside the York River, near Bancroft. Small amounts of corundum were mined, including some of gemmy quality. The location is now part of a conservation area and collecting is no longer allowed. :(.   This is a specimen, originally from the Von Bitter collection and was collected by Peter Von Bitter in Sept., 1959. His catalogue index card will be included with the specimen. It shows a light blue, tapered corundum crystal embedded in nepheline syenite, along with a shorter one at 90 degrees to it on the right of the matrix.  These do not come around very often these days!